Santiago Espinal was a low-risk signing when the Los Angeles Dodgers added him before the first full squad workout of Spring Training.
The former All-Star was one of the names in competition for the starting second base job to start the season with Tommy Edman momentarily out of commission, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
The early results were promising, as the 31-year-old infielder made a good impression on his new manager and was trending toward making the roster.
Espinal has continued to produce beyond his initial 12 plate appearances and has all but guaranteed himself a spot on the Opening Day roster with his play, according to Sonja Chen of MLB.com:
“It’d be hard to imagine him not being on the team,” Roberts said of Espinal, who signed a Minor League deal with L.A. and is in camp as a non-roster invitee.”
The Dodgers initially signed him to fill their needed right-handed hitting infield depth after losing Andy Ibáñez to the Athletics on waivers at the start of February. But Espinal’s performance in Cactus League play has opened the door to many possibilities, even earning him some chances to possibly start games:
“I can trust him essentially anywhere on the diamond,” Roberts said. “[Outfield] corners, second, third, and I think even in a pinch, he can play short. … And also a bat off the bench. If we need a right-handed bat, he’s going to put the ball in play and take a professional at-bat.”
The Dodgers’ clubhouse culture has also fit Espinal like a glove, with Roberts praising the way he plays the game:
From Roberts’ perspective, Espinal has fit in “seamlessly” since signing with the organization at the beginning of Spring Training.
“He is a baseball player,” Roberts said. “He’s a smart player. He knows the type of player he needs to be to be a Major League player. He has fun playing, but there’s a focus when he plays. He plays with enthusiasm, which is tempered, which is great.”
The right-hander’s ability to put the ball in play gave him upside as a productive bat at the time of signing, but flashing that potential so soon was unexpected.
Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas have also played well enough to open the season as the main options at second base. But as Roberts alluded to, Espinal has played well enough for the Dodgers to find him some reps in the lineup.
Santiago Espinal’s Cactus League results
Espinal began Cactus League play with four hits and three walks in 12 plate appearances. Three of his four hits have had an exit velocity of at least 89.6, including a 103.8 MPH single.
He has continued to heat up in his 10 plate appearances since then, including a two home run performance on Thursday. Of the last eight times he has put the ball in play, all eight have been hard-hit. Seven of those swings produced exit velocities over 100 mph.
Overall, Espinal is hitting .625/.636/1.125 with two doubles, two home runs and four walks against just two strikeouts.
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